Gear Up & Get Inspired

Before diving into focus groups and surveys, setting a strong foundation ensures your efforts to gather student voice are purposeful, inclusive, and effective.

This approach will guide the process and ensure student input drives your school’s redesign.

Understanding the power of inspiration will help us define our goals and strengthen our commitment. This foundational knowledge will prepare us for the changes that lie ahead.

Let's Gear up & Get Inspired before we Dive in and Try this out!

Learn more about how important student agency and engagement is by watching this video.

Watch the video here.

Catch a glimpse of youth voice in action by listening to this podcast.

Listen to the podcast here.

Get Inspired by Chicago’s Student Voice Committees

Chicago’s Student Voice Committees are transforming the way students participate in school decision-making by giving them a real say in policies that directly affect their education. These committees go beyond the traditional student council roles by involving students in meaningful discussions, such as improving teacher-student relationships, advocating for social-emotional learning, and addressing school challenges like dress codes and curriculum decisions.

Read the full article here.

Pause and discuss with your team:

What stood our most to you about how Student Voice Committees made a difference in other schools?

How does your current approach to student involvement compare to what you’ve seen in other examples?

What specific barriers exist that limit student voice in your school, and how can you address them?

What are you most eager to learn from students, and how do you think their input will shape your redesign efforts?

How can you ensure that students feel comfortable enough to answer fully and honestly during this process, and who do you think is best suited to conduct these interviews to create a trusting and open environment?